English Regency antique inkwell ecrier in patinated bronze.

A fine English Regency period patinated bronze inkwell in the shape of a long ship. The main body of the inkwell is in the form of a ship and in a form of shipbuilding known as clinker built where the planks are not laid edge to edge but where the bottom edge of one plank lies over the top edge of the next. The handls of the inkwell are in the form of serpents ( two at each end) and these also form the feet. Between the heads of the serpents running along the rail of the boat is fine pierced decoration. There are two inkwells and between is a pin or nib holder with lid. The lids to the inkwells are formed by English Regency pennies, one dated 1806. Original patination. Circa 1810. 8.5 inches wide 3 inches high and 3 inches deep ( 21.25 cms by 7.5 cms by 7.5 cms).